Ebony Russell

Sydney-based artist Ebony Russell creates decorative ceramic works in a rainbow of bright colour using cake-piping techniques, celebrating their beautiful imperfection.

Words & Photography: Hande Renshaw

Ceramic artist, Ebony Russell, in her Sydney studio. Photo: Hande Renshaw

Photo: Hande Renshaw

‘Be open [when creating] – open to learning, changing, developing and pushing. Don’t stay still or you can get stuck,’ says Ebony Russell. Photo: Hande Renshaw

‘Making is meditative and creates a loop. The ideas form the making and the making forms the ideas. It’s like a continuous cycle – my experience is the basis. My works all begin from and autobiographical point in some way or other.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw

‘I realised early on that I was more excited by the imperfect or ‘damaged’ pieces than attaining the perfect pot or sculpture; which can be an overwhelming pursuit in ceramics – the imperfect ones catch you and make you hold your breath,’ says Ebony Russell. Photo: Hande Renshaw

Sydney-based Ebony Russell’s work leans into finding beauty in the irregular and imperfect. Much like the Japanese art of Kintsugi – Ebony embraces flaws and imperfections, so they shine. Towering porcelain built ceramic pieces look as if they are teetering on the brink of disaster, often burdened by the weight of their own structure. Ebony finely balances the incredibly pretty with the somewhat precarious.

‘My technique comes with cracks, collapse and what would be traditionally perceived as damage or fault in ceramic making. I embrace this and have often allowed it to be the catalyst for my experimentation and development with the technique,’ says Ebony, ‘I realised early on that I was more excited by the imperfect or ‘damaged’ pieces than attaining the perfect pot or sculpture; which can be an overwhelming pursuit in ceramics – the imperfect ones catch you and make you hold your breath.’

From an nearly age, Ebony was immersed in creativity, both at school and at home. She grew up in a family of artistic women, who became strong role models – her mother, aunts and grandmothers were (and still are!) skilled makers.

‘The art room at school was my sanctuary and a place I always felt welcome and encouraged… space where I could be creative and use my imagination.  Art always felt like the right place for me so I kept pursuing it and ended up studying ceramics at university,’ shares Ebony.

Today, Ebony divides her time between the studio and teaching. ‘I became an art teacher and knew this would be a good profession to support me during the years while I developed my art practice,’ says Ebony, ‘Teaching art has made me a better artist and now helps me to continue my practice.’

Ebony’s process comes in stages that are measured, processing the clay so that it’s workable for her technique. Testing colours, glazes and finishes is an integral part of her process. ‘When I begin a work I’ll have a basic idea, a quick sketch. I like the work to have room to develop and save room for discovery in its making. I can work on forming a piece over 1-2 months – a layer or two a day. Collapse is always present in my work and firing happens after weeks of drying.’

For Ebony, the process of creating is meditative, her ideas a loop from inception to the finished piece. ‘The ideas form the making and the making forms the ideas. It’s like a continuous cycle – my experience is the basis. My works all begin from and autobiographical point in some way or other.’

The end of the year is set to be busy for the artist, she has been working on a body of bold and colourful work for this year’s Sydney Contemporary, where she will be exhibiting with Artereal Gallery, ‘Every piece has a story. I wanted to play with the hysterical, over the top forms and a nod to Rococo extravagance. Decoration is everything!’ she says of the collection. She is also completing a two week residency in Bundanon, in September, won as part of winning first place in the 2022 Meroogal Women’s Art Prize. 

In October, Ebony will be travelling to China with Janet DeBoos to lecture and exhibit in Jingdezhen and Hangzhou. ‘This is a real honour and I’m thrilled to be included on this trip.’

Shop Ebony’s work online here, she is part of this year’s Sydney Contemporary exhibiting with Artereal Gallery in early September.

Ebony Russell uses cake-piping techniques in her work. Photo: Hande Renshaw

‘Colour is a strong part of my work and often sets the tone while adding meaning and expression to the work.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw

‘Every piece has a story. I wanted to play with the hysterical, over the top forms and a nod to Rococo extravagance. Decoration is everything!’ says Ebony of her work for this year’s Sydney Contemporary. Photo: Hande Renshaw

The shelves of Ebony’s studio are full of pieces for her upcoming shows. Photo: Hande Renshaw

“Literature – mainly female writers, influence my work. This is often where my thoughts, feelings and experience is validated. ”

— Ebony Russell

‘A recent commission for The Powerhouse Museum allowed me to focus on Jasper blue well-known as the signature colour for Wedgewood pieces spanning the last two centuries.’ Photo: Hande Renshaw

Studio details. Photo: Hande Renshaw